"Stayin Alive": Summer Trends from the 70s

We all know that fashion trends are recycled and in general "the more things change the more they stay the same." As we enter the summer solstice, let's check out the 2011 spring/summer trends that extract hints from the disco decade.

                                                                                                                                      

Marc Jacobs was seriously channeling Jodie Foster in the 1976 hit movie "Taxi Driver". He combined the broad rimmed sunhat with bare-all shorts, strappy sandles and a few psychedelic patterns to make for an all out 70s inspired look.

Although we are in the summer season, that is no reason to shy away from long sleeves or pants. We have a Spring 2010 repeat and with light fabrics such as, silk and even cotton, you can tap into the flower child within with an array of 70s style jumpsuits.

Other major 70s trends you may notice this summer include, bold stipes, electric colors (often paired together) and highwaisted capris that may differ from the more familiar wide-leg or bell-bottom, but still maintains the 70s appeal.

(Pictures provided by, sweetfuzz.com, refinery29.com and polyvore.com)

Age Appropriate: Is 14 the new 40?

Many Sex in the City fans can recall the red carpet blunder that placed fifty something Samantha Jones in the same ensemble as Miley Cyrus, the teen queen. Although this scene was intended for comedic entertainment, several of us have witnessed similiar mishaps in a more everyday setting.

In our current realm of age obsession, how often do we see women of an advanced age or young girls trying to grab hold of the coveted twenties age range. Even Hollywood celebrities who are styled to a "T" illuminate this awful epidemic. So, let us take the time and observe just how this is displayed. Is the outfit too old or too young? Reference the ages and you decide!

Yes Miley, I too would feel uncomfortable in a dress I could not fill out.
(Miley Cyrus 2010 Oscars - Age: 17; stylefrizz.com)

Even young girls should not wear this one Mariah.
(Mariah Carey 2008 Candid Shot - Age: 38; thehoodtimes.com)

Like mother like daughter. Not inappropriate, but the similarities are outstanding.
(Madonna and Lourdes Macy's "Material Girl" clothing line launch - Madonna Age: 52; Lourdes Age: 13)

Not Dressing for the Job You Have!

Ever enter the office on a Monday morning and wonder whether or not your fellow employees comprehend the term "business casual"? Don't get me wrong, I understand how mundane it may be to constantly wear the typical white button-up shirt and black pencil skirt to the office; but, how far can one venture without crossing into bad form?

As a child my mother insisted that I never leave the house looking like "nobody's child". In other words, she wanted me to be a reflection of her and present myself as such. As a adult, I have a great appreciation for that lesson and hopefully I can offer some of mother's wisdom to a select few.

1) Part-Time Party Girl: Ladies it is time to separate the closet. Pieces worn for a night out
at the discotec are not interchangeable with office attire. Let's bring the skirts down a
few inches and leave the low-cut glittered halters for after-hours when your choices can be
sheltered by the shade of night.

2) The Ironless: It appears that this title befalls many young corporate employees. Maybe it
takes a few years to transition from the rollout of bed, grab and go college lifestyle; but
I find this particular look incredibly disturbing. Slowly I imagine myself spouting phrases
such as: tuck in your shirt, brush your hair, iron your slacks, and I immediately
become Sister Silbrowne of Our Lady of the Unsettlingly Wrinkled.

3) The Business Too Casual: This final staff member is the most rebellious of the group. It
appears this particular employee (often attired with sneakers, jeans and/or Ts) has forever
extended the rules for Casual Friday.

I do not personally expect all office personnel to appear as though they stepped off the runway, but hopefully the previously addressed missteps will cease. You know who you are (insert sinister laughter here).

(Picture provided by www.coojob.net)

Where have all the Fashion Icons gone?

Being that a week has lapsed since the actual Costume Institute Met Gala, I figured I needed to address the event more creatively than the typical "best and worst dressed" motif. Aside from my intent to offer my readers more considered feedback, it was necessary to take that time and wrap my mind around the parade of poorly translated runway couture.

I suppose this post refers back to my clever rant regarding hollywood celebrities and their fashion take over, but picturesque moments such as the Met Gala only prove that there are few with the stylistic know-how to be labeled icons. Rather, it appears that celebrities of today are labeled icons, but are really just well styled individuals. They have the fortune of working with stylists who help them to frequent the best dressed list; though, few have the trendsetting ability to become fashion royalty.

When we think of fashion icons, many of us revert back to those who have brought timeless staples to the world of style: Audrey Hepburn and the little black dress, Twiggy and the Mod look, and Jackie Kennedy Onassis for the formed suit look that became known as the "Jackie". Although, I think it is far too soon to dub these ladies fashion royalty, women such as Blake Lively and Rhianna have been labeled fashion icons of today. Blake Lively, though she claims to function without the use of a fashion stylist, has yet to establish a look that is uniquely outstanding. Rhianna, though very experimental with her look, has not been able to isolate one look long enough to make it a staple. Currently she is operating under a sense of fashion chaos that I find all too reminiscent of a performer from the past. A young, West Indian, singer and performer with an outrageous and ever changing style highlighted by extreme hairstyling choices...Grace Jones anyone.

I do not intend to propose that these young ladies may not one day come into a sense of self more easily proclaimed in their style of dress, but I wouldn't chisel any stone tablets just yet.

(Pictures provided by sell-clshoes.com and zimbio.com)

Long Live McQueen!



 I know that it may seem incredibly predictable, but what kind of fashion blogger would I be if I did not cover the Royal Wedding. Wouldn't you expect me to regale you with stories of love and romance, of princes and princesses, of Kate Middleton's Cinderella like tale? If that is the case, you'd better stop reading now.

Don't get me wrong, I respect and adore the tradition that is the Royal Family, but most importantly I respect the display of fashion that came from this event. The wedding was a impromptu runway affair, and I, the adoring aficiando. Of course, the highlight being the gorgeous lace bodiced Alexander McQueen gown chosen by the now Duchess of Cambridge (dseigned by Sarah Burton of the House of McQueen). I must say that in a Victorian dress echoing Grace Kelly, Kate Middleton was, to put it plainly, stunning.



Unfortunately, some often fashion forward guests seemed a bit unsure of appropriate royal wedding attire. The fabulous Victoria Beckham underwhelmed in her own design. After three children she should have maternity chic down packed. Why, therefore, did she insist on this shadow casting navy frock? Fortunately, in any good marriage there needs to be balance, and David Beckham took the reigns from his wife in royal appropriate Ralph Lauren.


 Lastly, English socialite, Tara Palmer Tomkinson, made a fervent attempt to literally outshine the bride by nabbing every electric blue item in the UK. Sadly, her attempt to channel the Duke Blue Devil within left onlookers a bit overcome by the cobalt queen.

Hopefully, these missteps will not cost these ladies invites to future royal affairs. In the meantime, I must offer the decree: "off with their threads".


(Pictures provided by dailymail.co.uk and people.com)

Why Fashion Maintains the Zero Frame!

When a trend plagues "the Media" and eventually the rest of the country, a small but steadfast group tries to locate the source. In the case of the size zero or less trend, who would we find at the birthplace?

In my research, I've found several fingers pointing toward straight men, gay men, and women as a cause for blame. People insist that straight men desire this figure, gay male designers prefer the clothes hanger look, and women place unattainable feats on their fellow females as a means of competition. All of these answers are somewhat credible, but I would have to say they are ALL WRONG!

Before I get to who I think is to blame, let's analyze this trend. I would have to say that the size zero stipulation is the most mundane thing to happen to the fashion industry. It has turned all of our models into cardboard cutouts rather than fabulous fashion figures.

Let's go back in time for a second and rediscover the fashion model. Twenty years ago, we hailed models who are still world renowned: Tyra Banks, Kate Moss, Heidi Klum, Brooke Shields, Naomi Campbell...and the list goes on and on. Today, very few people can name a model that has such an influence as the women I've just recalled. Now, these women are in their thirties and forties with no prospects on the horizon to take their places.

After much deliberation, I have determined that Hollywood is to blame. Sure we've had lovely movie stars in the past, but actresses have penetrated the fashion industry and used the zero size to boot out the models.

Once, being a model meant gracing the covers of top fashion magazines and becoming the face of popular design houses. Models we considered otherworldly because you couldn't just find a gorgeous, thin, 5'11 woman around every corner. So, in order to redefine beauty and infiltrate the industry that promotes it, actresses had to get rid of the beautiful beanstalks. Not everyone can grow to 5'11 or have unparalleled looks, but they can lose weight; Tori Spelling, Lindsay Lohan and many more have shown us how.

Now, the 5'3 Natalie Portman is on the cover of Vogue and the face of Christian Dior. Unfortunately, that means that the women on screen become more familar to the masses, and the models, once fashion's top representatives, just fade into the background.

Trends You LOVE to HATE!



newsfeed.time.com



Has anyone else noticed that men's clothing has been shrinking over the years? We've had skinny ties, tight fitting shirts and most recently the GIRLFRIEND JEAN??!?!?!. Since the plunge into the millennium, men's attire has developed a serious case of anorexia and I believe it's about time for an intervention. 

I must admit that I was never a fan of the oversized look, but this is a bit extreme. Skinny ties are fetching and on the right body a tight fitting shirt could do wonders. Yet, when one cannot walk the city streets without being visually assaulted by someone's family jewels, I cannot keep silent.

True, the summers of 2009 and 2010 brought us the boyfriend jean that could flatter just about any female figure with the right pump. But gentlemen, this was not meant as a personal challenge. Anything we can do, you can not necessarily do better.

Although the popular jeans brand, Levi's, is spearheading this SUCK-tioned trend, I can only hope that this one, like most, will soon see it's end.  Until then, I can somewhat rejoice in the prediction that teen pregnancy will take a downward turn due to what I like to call T.I.M. (trend influenced impotency).

Feel strongly about this trend or any other's that force you the shield your eyes? Leave comments below! I look forward to hearing from you. Ciao for now!